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Monday, 15 December 2014

Australia's Michael Clarke to have surgery on hamstring..............

Australia captain Michael Clarke will undergo surgery on Tuesday in his bid to overcome a hamstring injury.

The 33-year-old says his career could be over after his latest injury, which he suffered in a win over India in the first Test of their series.

Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said Clarke had "substantial damage to a key part of the hamstring tendon".

Steve Smith will captain Australia for the rest of the Test series against India, Cricket Australia has announced.

Michael Clarke's injuries in 2014

1 March: Sustains a fractured shoulder after being hit by South Africa bowler Morne Morkel while making 161 not out in the third Test in Cape Town

31 August: Suffers a recurrence of a left hamstring injury while batting against Zimbabwe and returns home from the one-day tri-series. The injury, initially triggered by the long-haul flight to Zimbabwe, rules him out of the one-day series against Pakistan in October, though he returns for the Tests

14 November: Injures the same hamstring in the first one-day international against South Africa in Perth

9 December: Retires hurt on 60 with a back injury before tea on the opening day of the first Test against India in Adelaide. He later returns to complete a century

13 December: Limps off the field on the final day of the first Test against India holding his right hamstring and will miss the rest of the series

The length of Clarke's absence is unclear ahead of February's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

"His recovery and the timing of his return to play will be dependent on the surgeon's advice and how well he recovers in the coming weeks," added Brukner.

Smith will become Australia's 45th and third-youngest Test captain when the second Test starts in Brisbane on Wednesday.

"It's something that I've always dreamt of doing," said the 25-year-old all-rounder. "It's an amazing thrill."

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who was expected to get the captaincy, has been named as vice-captain.

Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said Smith was highly regarded not just for his batting but also his "maturity and clear leadership potential".

Smith, who has played just 23 Tests and has previously captained New South Wales, scored 162 not out and 52 not out in the recent first-Test victory over India in Adelaide.